Mid-Term Patient Reported Outcomes and Return to Sport for Physeal Sparing ACL Reconstruction in Skeletally Immature Patients

Abstract

Objectives: Physeal-sparing techniques for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction have previously been described as safe treatment for adolescent ACL tears in patients with open physes, however few studies to date have reported on return-to-sport or patient reported outcome scores for this specific patient population. This study examined patient reported outcomes in children who underwent a physeal-sparing ACL reconstruction with a minimum of two-year follow-up. Methods: Surgical logs of ACLR performed at a single pediatric/adolescent sports medicine center from 2011 to 2016 were reviewed. Patients with open physes who had ACLR with a hybrid physeal sparing or all-epiphyseal technique were identified. Patients were treated by one of two pediatric sports trained orthopedic surgeons. Their demographics, operative reports, rehabilitative course, time to return-to-play, and post-operative course were retrospectively reviewed. Prospective patient reported outcomes scores, ACL-Return to Sport after Injury (ACL-RSI) and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) or Pediatric IKDC (Pedi-IKDC) and return to sport questionnaire including pre-injury primary sport and competition level, ability to return to pre-injury level of competition following ACLR and subsequent ACL injury were collected. Results: There were 49 patients who met inclusion criteria. Prospectively collected data was obtained for 25 patients at an average of 4.6 (range 2.1-8.0) years following surgery. The average chronological age of patients at time of surgery was 12.8 ± 1.4 years with an average bone age of 13.5 ± 1.3 years. At mid-term follow-up, the average chronological age was 17.2 ± 2.0 years. Average Pedi-IKDC or IKDC score was 94.2 ± 9.2 and ACL-RSI Score was 89.2 ± 18.3. There were 23 patients who considered themselves athletes prior to surgery, 8 patients identifying as recreational athletes competing in town or school leagues and 15 patients identifying as competitive athletes participating on youth travel or club leagues. All patients reported the ability to return to their primary sport following ACLR, with 74% returning to the same or higher level of competition, of which 6 were recreational athletes and 11 were competitive athletes. In addition, 6 patients did not complete outcomes data, but had suffered tear of their ipsilateral (3) or contralateral (3) side and were treated at the same facility. These patients were included in calculation of overall re-tear rate of 12.5% (5 patients) and contralateral tear of 25% (8 patients). Conclusion: Mid-term results of patients treated with a hybrid physeal-sparing or all-epiphyseal ACLR were favorable, with adolescents reporting a high level of functional ability and strong psychological readiness to engage in athletic activities. Re-tear and contralateral tear rates were equivalent to other reported studies. These physeal-sparing techniques demonstrate the ability for young athletes to successfully remain physically active and involved in their sports several years following surgery.